Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Anelia Smit and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Diphapang Mofokeng. See attached picture here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Nketoana will engage with the Municipality and continue to apply oversight pressure to ensure the urgent establishment of a lawful landfill site for Mamafubedu.
During an oversight visit by Cllr Thinus Blignaut and me, it became evident that residents currently have no alternative but to dispose of their household waste at an illegal dumping site on the outskirts of the town.
This unacceptable situation has arisen because the previous municipal landfill site was closed after reaching capacity and no longer meeting the minimum environmental and public health requirements.
It is deeply concerning that Nketoana Local Municipality failed to plan for a replacement landfill site, despite the closure of the previous facility being foreseeable. Instead of proactively identifying a suitable site and initiating the required approval processes, the municipality delayed taking action, leaving residents to bear the consequences of poor planning and inadequate service delivery.
The DA has further been informed that the municipality only recently submitted an application for a new landfill site. However, this application was rejected because the proposed site was unsuitable and did not comply with the environmental and regulatory requirements applicable to landfill facilities.
As a result, Nketoana Local Municipality must now restart the entire process, including identifying a suitable site, conducting the required environmental and technical assessments, submitting a new application, and obtaining all the necessary regulatory approvals before a lawful landfill site can be established.
Residents are forced to dispose of waste at an illegal dumping site. The waste is regularly set alight, causing thick smoke to drift over the town. This poses a serious health risk, particularly to children, people living with respiratory illnesses, and residents of the nearby old-age home.
In addition to the health concerns, the illegal dumping site presents significant environmental risks. Uncontrolled waste disposal can contaminate soil and groundwater, attract vermin and disease, and pose hazards to people and animals.
DA councillors called on the municipal administration to intervene urgently and ensure that the process of establishing a lawful landfill site proceeds without further delays.
We made it clear that this matter cannot be postponed and will continue to hold Nketoana Local Municipality accountable until a sustainable solution is implemented.
The residents of Mamafubedu and the wider Nketoana community deserve access to a lawful, properly managed landfill site that complies with environmental, health, and safety standards while protecting the well-being of people, animals, and the environment.